French Palme d’Or Winner “The Class” Opens 46th Annual New York Film Festival ***½

by Sam Juliano

     A festive and star-studded atmosphere greeted Lincoln Center Film Society Chairperson Ann Tenenbaum as she took to the podium to introduce program director Richard Pena, before the festival’s opening feature The Class (Entre les Murs), was screened before a near-sell out crowd at Avery Fisher Hall as the opening feature of the 46th annual New York Film Festival on Friday evening at 8:30 P.M.  Tenenbaum drew laughter from the audience when she suggested that those who bypassed the scheduled Obama-McCain debate on television to see the French Palme’s Or winner, “made the right choice.”  Pena applauded the board of directors’ decision to open the popular film event with the French film, and he introduced director Laurent Cantet to sustained and rousing applause.  Cantet, who helmed the impressive Human Resources several years back, then introduced his producers and writers as well as ten members of his youthful cast, all of whom flew in from Paris for the big event.       

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The Long Day Closes ****½

by Allan Fish

(UK 1992 85m) DVD2

Shining a torch into the night sky

p  Olivia Stewart  d/w  Terence Davies  ph  Michael Coulter  ed  William Diver  md  Robert Lockhart  art  Christopher Hobbs  cos  Monica Howe

Marjorie Yates (mother), Leigh McCormack (Bud), Anthony Watson (Kevin), Nicholas Lamont (John), Ayse Owens (Helen), Tina Malone (Edna), Jimmy Wilde (Curly), Robin Polley (Mr Nicholls),

Watching Terence Davies’ autobiographical piece was, to this reviewer, rather like flicking through a family album, heralding from a family barely removed from that depicted in the film, in location, time and spirit.  It isn’t a prerequisite to be acquainted with the north, or with Catholicism, or remembrances of the 1950s, but it certainly helps.  And though those who cannot tick those boxes can and do enjoy and celebrate the film, they do miss something in the translation.

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